Bridge men blast county title warning

Date Published: 12-Oct-2010

Clarinbridge 2-16

Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry 1-11

STEPHEN GLENNON

AT KENNY PARK

A SUBLIME opening 20 minutes – in which an electrifying Clarinbridge outfit outscored Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry by 1-9 to 0-1 – saw Micheál Donoghue’s charges advance to their first county senior hurling decider since the club’s only title back in 2001.

As whirlwind openings went, this was as good as any and those of the 7,000 plus attendance that had descended on Kenny Park early on Sunday could not be but impressed with the former county champions’ lively showing.

From the off, Clarinbridge displayed an insatiable hunger and drive, playing at an intensity level which totally caught Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry unaware. Indeed, it was a height that few teams have hit throughout the course of this championship.

Simply, all over the field in those opening 20 minutes or so, Clarinbridge dominated and the speed of their hurling – including succinct wrist action, sweet striking, swift reflexes and breathtaking movement – was really a joy to behold.

As for Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry, they had brought so much to this year’s championship, having produced some of the shocks of the campaign in defeating Gort, Castlegar and Liam Mellows on route to the semi-final. However, on Sunday, the tempo of the competition was most definitely upped and try as Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry might, they could not find that extra gear to take them beyond their opponents.

This was evident in the second period when they rallied, somewhat, to cut the 11-point interval deficit, 1-12 to 0-4, to six points, after Ronan Madden converted two frees and Shane Maloney netted an absolutely cracking 33rd minute goal in between.

They could have reduced their arrears even further on 38 minutes when wing forward Colm Larkinssprinted onto loose ball, after two Clarinbridge defenders collided, and he raced inside the cover. Unfortunately, he was unable to make the most of the opportunity, flashing his effort wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. It was a big, big moment as another major at this stage would have left just three between the sides.